26 June 2025

Advisory Committee meeting minutes

Present

  • Ingrid Bayliss (Chair)
  • Emily Walton (Barrister)
  • Tom McBrearty (Chair, Canterbury Homeowner Advisory Group)
  • Sarah-Jane Knox (Consumer Affairs Minister, ICNZ)
  • Casey Hurren (Chief Executive, Southern Response)
  • Rebecca Styles (Investigative Team Leader, Consumer NZ)

In attendance

  • Stephanie Greathead (Head of Accommodation & Insurance Response (AIR)) 
  • Kirsty Hamilton (Principal Advisor, AIR)
  • Edward Butler (Solicitor, MBIE)
  • Nik Behrens (Strategic Lead Insurance)
  • Fiona Paton (Operations Manager Insurance)
  • Hayley Stone (PA/Team Administrator AIR)

Apologies

  • Tina Mitchell (Chief Executive, NHC Toka Tū Ake)
  • Hamish Wall (Strategic Advisor, NHC Toka Tū Ake)
  • Kris Faafoi (Chief Executive, ICNZ)
  • Tania Williams (General Manager – Member Services, Engineering NZ)

Meeting Administration

Conflicts of Interest

  1. Emily Walton raised a conflict of interest in relation to proceedings against NHC for onsold properties she is involved in. A conflict management plan is to be documented and circulated to the committee. 

Actions

  1. Actions from the previous meeting were reviewed and minutes taken as read.

Items

NZCRS Operational

NZCRS Quarterly Report 
  1. The Head of AIR spoke to the Quarter One, 2025 NZCRS Report which has been circulated with the group.
  2. An overview of the AIR structure and the various roles was provided, including roles critical to NZCRS’ readiness function.
  3. The AIR workforce plan was discussed, with AIR highlighting the impact on the industry for roles with similar capabilities.
  4. The milestone of having under 500 open Canterbury Earthquake Sequence cases was noted.
  5. An update on Budget 2025 was provided, with the Head of AIR advising that with decreased demand, there was a reduction in funding as anticipated. Assurance was provided that this would not impact the service provided.
  6. NHC and IAG were recognized, with NZCRS noting a 12% increase in referrals to the service coming from these entities.
  7. Close out reports were discussed, with the Nelson and Otago events being the focus. Learnings would be shared with stakeholders once finalised.
  8. Business planning for the next financial year was discussed, with performance measures and improving satisfaction survey engagement being two key focus areas. 
Feedback
  1. The Head of AIR discussed feedback mechanisms to ensure stakeholders have a multi-channel approach to provide formal and informal feedback on the NZCRS.
  2. An annual survey was discussed, in line with the MOU in progress with NHC and Southern Response.

Industry Updates

Homeowner Representatives
  1. An update was provided on the lessons learned paper the Homeowner Advisory Group were compiling. Key themes will be circulated to the committee.
  2. The Chair of HOAG recognised the members of HOAG for their contribution.
  3. Increasing premium prices were noted and discussed.
Legal Representative
  1. The High Court test case in relation to the limitation period was discussed and an update provided on the appeal being abandoned by the insurer involved.
  2. Progress on the Mathias class action case was discussed.
  3. Dispute resolution pathways for on sold homeowners were discussed.
  4. The recently publicly released IDRS Decision was noted.

Review of Agenda

General Business
  1. The Terms of Reference were discussed with a misalignment identified in relation to confidentiality. The Terms will be updated and circulated.
  2. The contribution of the Homeowner Advisory Group and their Chair Tom McBrearty were acknowledged, with the Chair recognising their impact in the establishment of NZCRS and its success.
  3. The Head of AIR agreed the Quarterly Report could be circulated to insurance partners. 

Meeting closed: 2.02pm